OSCARS: Key dates announced

BEVERLY HILLS — The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced key dates for the 85th Academy Awards season.

The dates are:

Friday, Nov. 30 — Official screen credits due

Saturday, Dec. 1 — Governors Awards presentation

Monday, Dec. 17 — Nominations voting begins

Thursday, Jan. 3 — Nominations voting ends at 5 pm PT

Thursday, Jan. 10 — Nominations announced 5:30 am PT

Monday, Feb. 4 — Nominees luncheon

Friday, Feb. 8 — Final voting begins

Saturday, Feb. 9 — Scientific and Technical Awards presentation

Tuesday, Feb. 19 — Final voting ends 5 pm PT

Sunday, Feb. 24 — 85th Academy Awards presentation

According to the Academy, in an effort to provide members and the public with a longer period of time to see the nominated films, it will reveal the 85th Academy Awards nominations on January 10, five days earlier than previously announced.

In addition, this will be the first time the Academy will provide its membership with the opportunity to vote electronically. Together with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Everyone COunts, the Academy has been developing an electronic voting process for more than a year. The Academy has conducted extensive research and held numerous focus groups with its members to ensure a smooth transition and widespread adoption.

The Academy will make several voting resources available to members during the transition, including the installation of assisted voting stations in Los Angeles, New York, and London; a 24-hour telephone help line during voting periods; and paper ballots.

In the pre-nominations phase, members will continue to vote via paper ballot in eight categories due to screening schedules and processes. Those categories are: Animated Feature Film, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Visual Effects.

The Academy Awards ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. A 90-minute red carpet show will immediately precede the broadcast.